Political work

There are about 100 session days in a parliamentary year and the number of Bills to be read are between 200 and 300.

A Bill shall always be debated three times in the Chamber before it is passed. When a Bill is debated for the first time, the debate is of a principle nature and usually only the Minister and the spokesman on the matter in question will be present in the Chamber.

After the first reading, a Bill will be debated thoroughly in one of the 25 standing committees. A Bill on taxation will for instance be debated in the Fiscal Affairs Committee.

Then follow the second and third readings. If amendments are moved, they are put to the vote at the second reading. Subsequently, the Bill is submitted to the third reading but it may also be the subject of a new committee reading. At the votes taken during the second and third readings, more than fifty per cent of the MPs must be present and the Bill only becomes law if it is adopted by a majority in the Chamber.

Apart from legislating, Parliament also exerts control of the Government. As you will understand, it is particularly the Opposition parties which keep an eye on the Government. They may do so by putting questions to the Minister who will reply either orally or in writing. The standing committees may also invite a Minister for consultation. On an average, the Ministers receive more than 15.000 questions a year.

The control may also take the form of an interpellation debate in the Chamber which may lead to the Government being criticised, or in rare cases being overthrown by a majority in the Chamber. A sessional year will comprise 40 to 60 interpellations.